Yarn Braids Be Gone! (Update)

Hey All!

I am back...officially! (LOL) I have taken nearly a year long hiatus from haircare due to my beloved Yarn Braids. It has only been 4 days and I miss them terribly. I kept them in way past their due date (4 months), and my poor edges paid for it; not to mention I made my bald spots worse. Gosh darn Traction Alopecia. (A form of Alopecia, Alopecia meaning hair loss, that is caused from pulling, or force being applied to the hair, caused by braids in my case.) My hair started to lock within the braid, making it extra difficult to remove them. It felt like I was really trying to undo Locs. The process took me about 3 days on and off. I lost a lot of hair in the process.


Honestly, I have forgotten how to care for my 4a hair, and my old regimen. I feel like a Natural Newb, though I am a 3 year veteran. Besides the hair falling out, I also cut my hair back up to SL back in March. Did not enjoy that too much, but it was needed, and I actually liked the Bob look. As far as length goes, I am about where I use to be, APL, I will know for sure when I straighten my hair, which I will be doing for the holidays.

I did NOT miss the mission of trying to hide my bald spots, and I have seemed to misplace all of my headbands, so it seems as though I have to start a new collection. As you can see, I am in sort of a hair funk at the moment, hopefully it does not last too long. I have to stock up on a bunch of products, and perhaps trying some new ones, since my hair has seemed to redefine the word DRY. (Lol) Oh and I will doing Hairdrenaline again, that may help get my hair to grow back.

Anyway, I just wanted to give you all an update on me, and the status of my hair. When I find a new regimen, you guys will be the first to know!






~Naomi 

Feature February- Meet Alicia

Yes y'all I am doing it! (Lol)   I could not wait until February to do these Features!

 Today's Feature is actually a good friend of mine I meet over on my home forum; Black Hair Planet.  Remember Secret Santa? She was mine! Lol. So she was the one who gave the review on my Bebe Shea'loe, so I thought hey, why not feature her! (LOL) She really is a good friend of mine though, we began our HHJ around the same time so I know her journey is one worth The highs and lows are what makes each individual story unique...

So I would love nothing more for you guys to learn hers!  =)

If you don't mind, where are you from, and what are you repping now?

A: I was born and raised in Massachusetts but I've been living in Georgia for 12 years.

How is the natural scene there?

A: The naturals are in great abundance in Metro Atlanta. There is not a day that goes by where I won't see at least 1 natural....In fact I usually see more than 3 a day. I see lots of ladies who are just starting out on their journey with TWA's or longer. It is a wonderful feeling to know so many ladies are trying a different route in caring for their hair.

Was that a determining factor that lead you to go natural?

A: No. I didn't see as many naturals around when I first started transitioning. The final straw for me was being tired of finding someone I trust to give me a relaxer. I didn't trust salons and my friend who normally relaxed my hair moved away. I was already 5 months post and instead of searching for someone to do my hair; I decided to continue on relaxer free and try natural. It was always something I said I would like to try.

Did you automatically do a Big Chop, or did you transition and what made you chose that route?

A: My initial goal was to transition for 18 months. I was afraid of what I would look like with short hair. A little after a year, I was over the transition. I was tired of fighting the two textures and was too anxious to see my true texture. So I BC'd after 13 months.

How long have you been natural?

A: It will be 2 years on February 9th. I have been relaxer-free for 3 years.

Do you follow Andre Walker's hair typing system? If so, what do you consider your hair type to be?

A: I do follow Andre Walker's hair typing system. My hair is 3C/4A.

Is caring for your natural hair any different  or more difficult, in comparison to when you were relaxed?

A: I think that caring for natural and relaxed is hard work. When relaxed, I spent a great deal of time straightening my hair, and keeping my hair straight. And the whole relaxer process was a nuisance for me. With natural hair, the detangling, and styling keeps me quite busy. But if I had to absolutely choose, I would say that caring for my natural hair is less difficult. I style my hair in twists so that I don't have to manipulate it too much. In the mornings I literally get up, and go.

Have you had any setbacks?

A: Yes, lol. After I BC'd I did not cut, trim, dust my hair for almost a year! I went a year and a half with only 1 trim! I had about 4 inches of dead ends that were just hanging there. Not even my best moisturizers and oils could penetrate into these ends. They had to go so I cut my hair from APL back to almost SL. But I have come a long way since then. I am now BSL. I also struggle with a never ending battle with my edges. They are on the thin side and are very sensitive. I keep my hair twisted 80% of the time to avoid having to pull my hair back tightly.

Do you follow a set regimen, if so what are your staple products?

A: I do follow a regimen that I've been experimenting with over the past couple months. Many may not agree with my regimen but so far it seems to work for me. I wash my hair every 3 weeks with a Sulfate Shampoo like TreSemme Moisture Rich. I DC every 3 weeks after my wash with coconut oil mixed into either Lustrasilk Cholesterol Shea Butter & Mango, Silk Elements Megasilk, or Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating-Calming Conditioner. I rinse and will moisturize with either Trader Joe's Nourish Spa Conditioner or a homemade spritz. Later that day or the next day I start twisting using SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothing or Curl & Style Milk and ORS Lock and Twist Gel. Sometimes I like to apply my castor oil mix on my ends. I use a lot of product when I twist because I can't re-moisturize while my twists are in or I will experience heavy frizzing. I wear the twists for 2 weeks and the twistout for 3-4 days. Then I will cowash with Trader Joe's (and also moisturize with it) and a couple days later start the process all over again!

Is there any tips, tricks, or advice you would like to offer to someone who is thinking about transitioning or doing the Big Chop?

A:  1. Invest in lots of conditioner, lol.

2. Understand that transitioning is not a walk in the park. It takes work and can get very challenging. At the same time it is very rewarding in the long run. As long as you stay focused and keep a realistic goal, anyone can do it! Transitioning is one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Where can we find you?

A: I am always on Black Hair Care Forum (forum.blackhairplanet.com). Otherwise, you can find me at http://public.fotki.com/ac22ford/

2 Years Natural!

Hey All,

A couple of days ago (on the 16th) I hit my 2 year mark of being natural, and I have been relaxer free for 2 years and 8 months. I am not going to say that it has been easy, and I have not lusted after that relaxer box, because I surely did, I still do at times. I am still very happy about how far I have come and I always try to keep that in perspective when I do have those lustrous thoughts (LOL)


When I self bc'ed back in 09' my hair was super dry, and it probably was no longer than EL. Through the help of learning proper hair care, and educated myself on growth aides in a year I made it to SL.


This year's short term goal was to reach APL by June, but I did not make it until September I want to say. You cannot let not making goals discourage you from reaching your goals. It is just a way that to learn patience.

I feel like my hair is in the best state it has been since I had virgin hair (never relaxed), so that is something to be proud of. I made APL, though in layers, but then again, who says we have to have a blunt cut to claim a length, right?

That would dismiss all the Layered, V-Shaped, U-Shaped ladies out there. I say longest later reaches, claim it! (Lol) That is my philosophy and I am sticking to it.

I am currently wearing my hair straightened, and I know there are some "Hard-core Naturals" or "Natural Nazis" as I like to call them, out there who believe that you are no longer natural if you use heat to alter your texture (which happens to be temporary) or that you should not manipulate your curls or try to define them; Like we are suppose to be walking around with a matted fro. I will be damned!

Natural to me is simply not using a relaxer to chemically alter your hair that makes you lose your natural curl pattern. That is it. So as far as I know I have lived up to that.

I have yet to color, but if you want to lighten up that fro, why not? Straighten it from time to time; Go for it! Why do people who create these boxes for themselves feel like they are "More than" because they use all natural products, or chose a vegetarian/vegan life style. If you are doing something you feel betters yourself, why put the next person down because they are not doing what you do?

Anyway guys, all I have to say is, DO YOU! You are the only person who truly has to live with your decisions, and if it is not detrimental to the health and well-being of those around you, why should their opinion matter. Much less of someone who does not know YOU.

I know I will! So happy anni to me!

~Naomi

That's it, I'm claiming it!

Hey All!

I am not sure if you guys know, but my ultimate goal is to grow my hair out to WL stretched, so that would be MBL-ish unstretched. My short term goal for this year was to make it to APL by June of this year, but unfortunately I did not meet my goal. Hey, it happens. I continued on with my regimen, I do not let things like not meeting goals discourage me, it makes me want to try even harder!

I think I got a lot of growth from my hair being in braids during the summer, since it is a protective style, even with me not washing my hair. Which is something I totally do NOT advice. Don't believe that myth about hair growing on a dirty scalp. It does not, a clean scalp is best environment for growth.


I am part of a challenge; The Six Inches Challenge for 2011 over on BHP, and still my goal was to reach APL. We recently had another check in to do. So my growth comparison was from when I flat ironed my hair back in April.

Well I flat ironed my hair with my MAXIglide Xpress a couple of days ago.I did not blow dry before hand. My hair was in a Bantu Knot Out from the day before, and I really got the urge and I had an important interview to go on, and it worked out because of the check in. I did make sure to moisturize with my Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Reconstructerizer, and sprayed my Beyond the Zone heat protectant on each section before flat ironing.  Here is what my progress looks like.

 

Judging by the picture I think I made APL. So I really retained a lot of growth since then. My head is a teensy tilted, but even if it was not, I would be APL because I am a little over the armpit mark. I am ecstatic! I think Hairfinity has something to do with it. :)

Oh I am layered by the way, it is how my hair grows. Not everyone likes, wants, or has a blunt hair cut, and just because you do not have one does not take away from your length. I pay no attention to "Full" length titles, (Full SL, Full, APL, etc.) because I feel it limits you to having your hair look a certain way. It's like those who's hair grows in a V shape, or U shape. I actually like the V look and I think my hair has a natural V shape.

Getting to this length means a lot to me because I have not had hair this long since I was a kid (before relaxers), and I thought I would never get my hair to grow past CL for the longest time. With BHP and other forums for advice, tips, and learning new methods, along with educated myself on hair, and proper hair care, my hair is the healthiest it's been in years.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my good news with you guys! Now I'm on to my next short term goal; BSL. I will aim for June of 2012. We shall see!

~Naomi

Hair Length Chart & Hair Forum Terminology/Abbreviations

When I first started my Healthy Hair Journey (HHJ), I had no clue what the hair length terminology was, but I found these charts that tells you where one length begins, and ends, and the abbreviations for it, which I think is important to know if you are or plan to be on any hair blogs or forums.So here are a couple of charts I use to judge my length, which makes it easier, since some people, like myself, do not measure by inches.

Some other Termonology that may be used on Forums, I found them really confusing when I just started out, so I thought I'd compile some of the common ones.


ACV- Apple Cider Vinegar

BC- Big Chop

BHP- Black Hair Planet (Forum)

BHM- Black Hair Media (Forum)

BSS- Beauty Supply Store

BUMP(ING)-  You write this in a thread you create, or when you want to  push (bump) a/your topic to the top so it can stay active, and be visible to other posters to see, or get a response

CO- Castor Oil or Coconut Oil

CON- Cream of Nature

CONES- Silicones

DB- Dear Boyfriend

DD- Dear Daughter
 
DG- Dear Girlfriend

DH- Dear Husband

DS- Dear Son

DF- Dear Fiance/Fiancee (basically if there is a D before  letters B,D,G, and F, it means dear lol)

DIY- Do It Yourself

DUSTING- It is when you trim a such a tiny amount, it falls/resembles dust

EVCO- Extra Virgin Castor Oil or Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

EVOO- Extra Virgin Olive Oil

HE- Herbal Essense

HHG- Happy Hair Growing

HHJ- Healthy Hair Journey

HTH- Hope That Helps

ITA- I Totally Agree

IMO/JMO- In/ Just My Opinion

JBCO- Jamaican Black Castor Oil

NG- New Growth

PJ- Product Junkie (someone who buys/owns more hair products that they 'need')

SO- Significant Other

S& D- Search and Destroy, it is when you 'search' and cut/trim split ends

TIA- Thanks In Advance

TWA- Teeny Weeny Afro

WGO- Wild Growth Oil


Okay, that is all the abbreviations I can think of for now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! HTH!


Until Next Time, Naomi~